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Zenit St Petersburg
Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 4, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Leverkusen logo

1-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Son (68', 73')

Player Ratings: Zenit St Petersburg 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Sports Mole rates the players' performances as Zenit St Petersburg are beaten 2-1 by Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen strengthened their advantage at the top of Group C in the Champions League with a 2-1 win over Zenit St Petersburg this afternoon.

Son Heung-min scored twice for the visitors before Salomon Rondon came off the bench to claw one back for the Russian side.

Here, Sports Mole runs the rule over the players involved as Roger Schmidt's side recorded their second consecutive victory over Andre Villas-Boas's charges.


Zenit's Brazilian Hulk (R) celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League group C football match against SL Benfica on September 16, 2014© Getty Images

ZENIT

Goal

Yuri Lodygin: Didn't have a whole lot to do but could not help either goal. Particularly quiet in the first period. (5/10)

Defence

Ezequiel Garay: The Argentina defender was strong but will lament getting caught high up the field for Son's second goal. (6/10)

Domenico Criscito: Nearly thwarted Son's second and did OK, but was at fault along with the whole backline for getting caught out up the pitch. (6/10)

Aleksandr Anyukov: Did OK in the Zenit backline, perhaps could have done more to close down Son during the opening goal. (6/10)

Nicolas Lombaerts: A fairly quiet game from the 29-year-old defender. Kept Leverkusen at bay in the first half and was not at fault for Son's long-range opener. (5/10)

Midfield

Javi Garcia: Fairly anonymous throughout, screening duties were not needed much in the opening half, but could have closed down Son quicker for the first goal. (5/10)

Axel Witsel: Was typically energetic and tenacious but could have done more to affect things in the second period. Got in the box more late on, could have done it earlier. (6/10)

Danny: Possibly Zenit's best player, kept things ticking over and played some nice through-balls. Linked well with Hulk at times. (7/10)

Oleg Shatov: Did his best to support Alexander Kerzhakov, and almost claimed an assist in the first half, but for good defending from Leverkusen. (7/10)

Attack

Hulk: Hit and miss; the Brazil international infuriates at times and ran out of steam late on after several promising opportunities fell apart. (6/10)

Alexander Kerzhakov: Missed a glorious chance in the first half and saw his replacement Rondon make more of an impact almost immediately. (5/10)

Substitutes

Salomon Rondon: Introduction sparked Zenit into life and finished nicely for his goal. Good performance from the striker. (7/10)

Andrey Arshavin: Was brought on with around three minutes remaining and immediately claimed an assist with a lofted ball over the defence. (7/10)

Aleksandr Ryazantsev: Was brought on late on and couldn't affect the game too much. (5/10)


Bayer Leverkusen's football players celebrate a goal during their UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Bayer Leverkusen and Zenit at Petrovsky Stadium in St. Petersburg, Russia, on St. Petersburg on November 4, 2014© Getty Images

LEVERKUSEN

Goal

Bernd Leno: A good display from the goalkeeper. Was commanding when needed and denied Kerzhakov with a good save at 0-0. (7/10)

Defence

Guilo Donati: Excellent at times. He turned in a solid defensive display. (7/10)

Emir Spahic: The Bosnian defender was rock solid throughout. Cut his mouth badly in the first half, but bounced back to turn in a great display. (8/10)

Omer Toprak: The entire Leverkusen defence did well throughout and the Turkish defender was no exception. A solid game. (7/10)

Tin Jedvaj: On-loan Roma youngster did well until he was withdrawn in the second half. (6/10)

Midfield

Sven Bender: Typically got through a mountain of work in the engine room for the visitors. (6/10)

Hakan Calhangolu: A quiet display from the Turkish midfielder. (5/10)

Julian Brandt: Struggled to get into the game was replaced in the second half early on. (5/10)

Attack

Karim Bellarabi: Youngster was lively throughout and linked up well with Kiessling at times. (6/10)

Son Heung-min: The game's star performer; scored an stunning opener with a curling effort from 25 yards before doubling the advantage with a well-taken finish. (8/10)

Stefan Kiessling: Bundelsiga hotshot struggled to make an impact in front of goal. (5/10)

Substitutes

Robbie Kruse: Came on in the dying seconds and nearly scored with a diving header, which was his first touch. (6/10)

Josip Drmic: Caused the defence problems when he came on. (6/10)


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Leverkusen's Italian defender Giulio Donati and Zenit's Italian defender Domenico Criscito vie for the ball during the first leg UEFA Champions League Group C football match Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs FC Zenit St Petersburg, in Leverkusen, western Germany on
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